Elanco Animal Health has unveiled a new weight-gain treatment for chronically ill cats, designed to help veterinarians intervene earlier in cases of unintended weight loss. The product targets feline cachexia and muscle wasting associated with chronic kidney disease, cancer, and other systemic illnesses.
Elanco Animal Health has officially launched Eluracat, a groundbreaking once-daily oral weight-gain solution for cats suffering from chronic medical conditions, in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Key Details of the Launch
- The Product: Eluracat (capromorelin 20 mg/ml oral solution) is a prescription-only medication (POM-V). It is a once-daily, vanilla-flavored liquid designed for easy compliance
- Target Audience: The treatment is indicated for cats experiencing poor appetite or unintended weight loss stemming from chronic conditions, most notably Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- Mechanism of Action: It is the first licensed capromorelin product in the UK and Ireland. It acts as a ghrelin receptor agonist, mimicking a cat’s natural “hunger hormone” to systemically stimulate appetite and trigger metabolic changes that promote healthy weight gain
- Proven Efficacy: Clinical trial data published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery demonstrated that 83% of participating cats gained and maintained weight over an eight-week evaluation, compared to just 41.5% in the placebo group
Why This Matters for Feline Medicine
Unintended weight loss is one of the earliest signs of a cat struggling with a chronic illness, yet it is frequently overlooked until it becomes critical. In conditions like CKD, weight loss is directly linked to shorter survival times. Vet practices are being encouraged by Elanco to intervene early, using Eluracat from the first signs of weight reduction to maintain the cat’s strength and overall quality of life.
